1gb dual channel or 2 gb single channel?

**forcifer** · 12-10-2006, 06:41 PM

my ram is messed (mess up, ocing sucks, never do it) and it will only run in single channel. xmas is coming up, and i would like to add ram. but is getting 2 gb non dual channel that much better then 1 gb non dual channel? and how much better is it then 1 gb dual channe?

Tumbleweed36 · 12-10-2006, 07:36 PM

Hi forcifer,

What you are asking may get different answers from different perspectives. It is my opinion, that if you are not into heavy gaming, that you would simply be better off to get a matching pair of 512 ram for 1 gig total and sell that old stick on Ebay or some place like that.

However, you will get more availability out of 2 gigs of ram, but if you put two gigs in there and they are not matched, then you run the risk of a conflict with the two chips and then you are back to square one....meaning, the stick you have, plus another you have purchased and the two don't match and possibly won't work together in the same computer, so wasted money and back to the 1 gig you had in the first place.

If you are into heavy gaming, then you really should consider two gigs of memory and a matched pair of 1 gig or two sets of 512 matched pairs. I just don't feel personally that it is worth the risk to buy mix-matched ram and run the risk of not being able to use it in your motherboard.

Therefore, who the heck knows the right answer for you....I sure don't, but I would not attempt to use mix-matched ram in the modern motherboards made in the past four or five years. Just too many times, no workie, if you know what I mean.

**blackduck30** · 12-10-2006, 11:10 PM

I agree, It is just so hit and miss. From what I have read around the traps you would be silly not to utilise your dual channel capabilities if you have them.

**Kalim** · 12-11-2006, 12:01 PM

For instance,

Single Channel DDR400: PC3200 = 3.2GB/second bandwidth

Dual Channel DDR400: runs @ 6.4GB/second bandwidth

Doubled up, like having DDR800, while not so.

**forcifer** · 12-11-2006, 04:45 PM

i do mostly game, which does factor in. hl1 and hl2. if i bought the EXACT same pair that i currently have, would they all run in dual channel?

**Kalim** · 12-12-2006, 04:45 PM

What motherboard is it you have, just to be sure?

Some, mostly the older, don't allow Dual Channel.

**forcifer** · 12-12-2006, 08:00 PM

it allows dual channel. it looks like dual channel they way its into board (same colors) but CPUz detects it as single channel, as does everest.

**Kalim** · 12-12-2006, 08:13 PM

If it allows it it'll say so in the mobo manual.
Software won't detect it unless its actually running Dual Channel memory at present.

Yes, if you get the same size, the same density, the same manufacturer and model RAM stick x 2, and install them in as your mobo manual instructs for Dual Channel (sometimes if you have more than 2 slots, it can be a specific arrangement rather than any slot), they will run in Dual Channel mode.

**crazijoe** · 12-13-2006, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forcifer

it allows dual channel. it looks like dual channel they way its into board (same colors) but CPUz detects it as single channel, as does everest.

Check the BIOS to see if is indeed running in dual channel mode.

12-10-2006, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
forcifer good bye and good luck Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,483 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	1gb dual channel or 2 gb single channel? my ram is messed (mess up, ocing sucks, never do it) and it will only run in single channel. xmas is coming up, and i would like to add ram. but is getting 2 gb non dual channel that much better then 1 gb non dual channel? and how much better is it then 1 gb dual channe? __________________ im back...i guess...

12-10-2006, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,810 OS: XP Professional	Hi forcifer, What you are asking may get different answers from different perspectives. It is my opinion, that if you are not into heavy gaming, that you would simply be better off to get a matching pair of 512 ram for 1 gig total and sell that old stick on Ebay or some place like that. However, you will get more availability out of 2 gigs of ram, but if you put two gigs in there and they are not matched, then you run the risk of a conflict with the two chips and then you are back to square one....meaning, the stick you have, plus another you have purchased and the two don't match and possibly won't work together in the same computer, so wasted money and back to the 1 gig you had in the first place. If you are into heavy gaming, then you really should consider two gigs of memory and a matched pair of 1 gig or two sets of 512 matched pairs. I just don't feel personally that it is worth the risk to buy mix-matched ram and run the risk of not being able to use it in your motherboard. Therefore, who the heck knows the right answer for you....I sure don't, but I would not attempt to use mix-matched ram in the modern motherboards made in the past four or five years. Just too many times, no workie, if you know what I mean. __________________ ----------

12-10-2006, 11:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
blackduck30 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wollongong/Australia Posts: 4,227 OS: XP pro SP3/Vista Ultimate My System	I agree, It is just so hit and miss. From what I have read around the traps you would be silly not to utilise your dual channel capabilities if you have them. __________________ Blackduck30 Time is like money and milk, It's always running out Any Donations Help Keep TSF Free For All

12-11-2006, 04:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
forcifer good bye and good luck Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,483 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	i do mostly game, which does factor in. hl1 and hl2. if i bought the EXACT same pair that i currently have, would they all run in dual channel? __________________ im back...i guess...

12-12-2006, 08:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
forcifer good bye and good luck Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City kansas Posts: 3,483 OS: Vista Premium 32 My System Blog Entries: 1	it allows dual channel. it looks like dual channel they way its into board (same colors) but CPUz detects it as single channel, as does everest. __________________ im back...i guess...

12-11-2006, 12:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,538 OS: Many	For instance, Single Channel DDR400: PC3200 = 3.2GB/second bandwidth Dual Channel DDR400: runs @ 6.4GB/second bandwidth Doubled up, like having DDR800, while not so.

12-12-2006, 04:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,538 OS: Many	What motherboard is it you have, just to be sure? Some, mostly the older, don't allow Dual Channel.

12-12-2006, 08:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,538 OS: Many	If it allows it it'll say so in the mobo manual. Software won't detect it unless its actually running Dual Channel memory at present. Yes, if you get the same size, the same density, the same manufacturer and model RAM stick x 2, and install them in as your mobo manual instructs for Dual Channel (sometimes if you have more than 2 slots, it can be a specific arrangement rather than any slot), they will run in Dual Channel mode.